update

Okay people,

spring semester has started.

And let me tell you-- my life is basically over till June 18th. Working at a floral design industry "Mountain Bloom", along with my finance class and the advanced writing will be the death of me. I already have a presentation due Friday (class started today) and did 2 hours of math for homework.

ug. MATH + Me = Disaster.

If it was not for my dear friend Eric, I would have gone insane from stress. He had the brilliant idea to go to Starbucks for steamers (hot milk with any added flavor mmm!). I got vanilla and raspberry flavored milk. Because Eric and I both like to talk we ended up talking for almost three hours. Even though I don't drink Coffee, I do love the atmosphere of the shops and how it always promotes great conversations! Eric thanks for being such a great friend! You are awesome and I loved our indoor tennis game at my apartment last night. ha!

Also, Tomorrow I get to go see OCEANS -disney's new movie. WHOO!

and duh duh duh duh......

THE 1/2 MaRaThOn is THIS saturday.
CRAZZZZZY.

I will let you know how it goes. I am not expecting any great time but hopefully the half in June I will improve my time! And so the obsession with running and half marathon really begins!!

wasting my time blogging.

Well Bloggers,
It has been awhile. And sad to say, this post is not because I have so much to tell you... rather it is to escape from studying and say nothing of importance at all. My finals this semester have been rough. Not just because memorizing four months worth of material is time consuming, but because my body and mind literally REFUSE to focus. This makes studying very difficult for me. I wake up each morning with a determination to study hardcore and somehow-someway I just end up talking with roomies, cleaning, running, eating, singing, sleeping, and by the time I realize how much time I have wasted it is late and I end up at the library till 2 am. It is fun to be at the library because you see lots of people but still... I could have gotten much more done earlier in the day.
I had to pull an all nighter on Sunday, which really threw off my schedule and I cannot seem to recuperate from it. Monday I spent most of the night eating Kiwis, translating the word Delicacy into German and French, Italian, and Spanish, and talking with a good friend on my roof last night. Tuesday I have spent most of the day trying to study. But that hasn't turned out well. Instead I called my mom, talked to my roommate Morgan, ate and day dreamed. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? My final exam grade will determine my overall grade for most of my classes... so why am I not stressing?

I guess I have the Costa Rican mentality: Pura Vida.

Design

r





Alright Readers,
It is time to post some more of my favorite interiors (some exterior). I have found some amazing kitchens lately which make me want a house with a kitchen in every room. This way I can have all my favorite kitchens at once. I am lately obsessed with contemporary elements within a traditional kitchen/room. I also Love, LoVe, LOVE iron grid windows.

I chose trust.

In retrospect my life has been an exceptionally notable story so far. I am sure I have had experiences that others can relate to and I am happy that I can participate in reminiscing in these memories. But have you ever wondered why God wanted us to experiences these things on our own?
Did we know before we were sent down to Earth if we could handle what was about to unfold; did we have so much trust in this Godly being that we knew we would not be left alone? Even so, this world is so chaotic that sometimes I forget about the trust I have in Him and feel left alone.
Were these experiences something so important that we needed to experience on our own. It is late but I can't help explore these thoughts as I lay here in my bed. The window is open with cool air coming in and finally the clouds have parted where they now reveal a couple stars.
Perhaps these stars are symbols from God reminding me of that untouchable trust I put in Him many, many years ago. I don't want this post to sounds like I feel alone. Because I don't, but I like to ponder these things. Simply that. I believe our hearts and minds are programed to recognize experiences (whether good or bad) as a faded memory we once had back when we lived with God.
If we dig deep down and meditate or consider that we once knew we would have many experiences, then perhaps that is when we find that our inner soul holds the trust that always resided. We must have had faith in our selves and hope that our inner soul will recognize that experiences are for finding that trust that has been hiding within our soul and to let it guide each experience.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yes, I feel it is a special gift from God.
I owe it to myself to rely on my inner soul.
Because long ago I chose trust.

Kara Mann

Kara Mann is a new designer who started her company back in 2005. She has very elegant interiors. Loves to mix modern with traditional: exactly what I love. Check her website out! (click on her name)
Kara Mann Designs

Spectacularly Dazzling I tell you!

There is a feeling that no other environment can give me except for when I am surrounded by family and close friends. And lets be honest close friends are basically family. I never feel self conscious, never boring and I have overwhelming bursts of contentment and happy tidings. Life is great when you feel like you are in company of wonderful, eccentric, lovably beautiful people.

Here is a Recap of tonight's events:
Walk in--- joyous site: Nick, Carter (2 dear friends) and my sisters and bro in law.
Open up the freshly baked cookies -- courtesy of my new cooking class.
You see, my family we love food. We love laughing and talking combined with food and music. Music leads to dancing--awkward, who can dance the funniest spotlight moment-- more laughing.
More people walk in. Meet 2 awesome guys. One from Mozambique who films Lauren dancing like a caterpillar. Beatles are playing in the background whilst the other visitor- Chase- dances for us. Another awkward pause and then we all laugh. True joy.
Next comes more Californians who start waltzing and chacha-ing until we start the "what if & then" game. Laughing, eating Mangoes and reminiscing dominates the scene until finally we are tuckered out and start to have heavy eye lids. No one wants to leave because frankly it's been an amazing time. It has been not only a rekindling friendship and bonding experience but life just feels perfect. Strangers from Mozambique even want to come back for another dance party!? What a perfect Sunday evening. Nothing better than this. Bravo us, we did good tonight.

Spectacularly Dazzling I tell you.

Moon River

"There was once a very lovely, very frightened girl.
She lived alone except for a nameless cat.."

Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.

What makes us believe in our dreams? What is the driving force that pushes someone to go after a whimsical emotion of thoughts? and when we are done chasing our dreams do we suddenly realize that the life we lead is the dream we secretly had all along? Why are we always pursuing a dream when life is what makes it? What happens when you are at your rainbow's end and you find nothing? Is it actually what the rainbow is made of that is the dream? We have layers and levels of thoughts, emotions and experiences that I believe create the dream. The dream that we never think of till we have seen the world and done what we set out to do.

Agency.

Sunday was absolutely incredible for me. My testimony of the Savior grew minute by minute as all of us college students discussed in Sunday school why we choose the right. Our agency to do anything in this world is a precious gift from God. It is easy for me to forget that situations do not make me react poorly. It is I who decides how to act or react. No one can tell me how I should be, and I cannot blame my behavior on anyone else. We watched this 6 minute clip that brought tears to my eyes. It is beautiful. Please take time to listen to it and ponder the words of Enzio Busche. A special Thanks goes out to my friend Troy Jennings. He showed us the video and gave a very wonderful lesson which touched my heart. Thank you Troy.

twenty one Years old.

This is my happy birthday song to myself:




Hah! It's great. I am now 21 and I love being this age so far. Thanks for all the birthday wishes and the wonderful friends who spent the day with me. I love you all.
"Now that I am 21" I feel that it is time to finally finish what I am wanted to do for a couple years now.
1. Run half marathon ( I actually signed up so its official. No backing out.)
2. Try to work at either a cupcake shop and or design center for the summer
3. Buy a bike
4. Learn how to make Creme Brulee
5. For the 1st time in 12 years GO to Southern California.

Anyway, WHOO! I am 21!!!!

::: Amae :::

There is no English equivalent for this word. But it describes the innate need and desire within each person to depend on and feel connected to other people—especially in relationships of love.

In a sense, amae is the desire to receive love.

At times we all may feel an emotional or spiritual hunger,

a kind of “psychic emptiness”.

Robert Browning calls it “the passionate longing of the heart for fullness.”

The Germans have a saying that accurately explains a part of amae:

“Freiheit in Geborenheit”

“freedom through emotional security.”

.This is beautiful.

It gets rid of our western culture’s traditional disdain for dependent persons. It captures the positive instead of the negative connotation in the word “dependent”.

The good news it that we can come to realize this enough to where our core being can say, “I was made for this.” Longing to belong is instilled in our very nature. The Japanese concept of amae reveals that our intuition to belong, both to others and to God, is something instinctive that is common to all mankind.

Amae influences attitudes toward all personal and group associations. Do we go about our day realizing that amae is working in all aspects of our life?

And if that is true when we encounter romantic love our amae within immediately recognizes a fulfillment that could potentially be filled THEN

True romantic love cannot come into existence unless the desire for amae is already secretly present.

So where does personal identity, individuality, and belonging intertwine? Does having a belonging heart confine us or liberate us? I believe that no true romantic belonging was ever intended to smother or submerge our sense of personal identity. However, to each his own to figure out how to belong to someone else and remain independent enough to grow individually.

To keep progressing and making it through our own personal test is the quest I am seeking to understand and conquer.

Announcement!

I am an Aunt!
Welcome to the world baby Hudson!
We love you so much.
7 lb 14 oz 20 1/2 inches

R () () M s

These are just a few of my favorite rooms that inspire me.

Someday. Sometime.

Somewhere I know there is a field that is pure and authentic. Wind blowing through the tall untrimmed grass, trees tall and erect with branches that lazily grow wherever they please. The leaves appear painted in a luminous green that compliments the azure sky. Somewhere, sometime I stand like Anne from Green Gables dreaming out into the horizon knowing my future had been bright, and humbly confident that what I did with my life was the right thing. The choices I made throughout my life were correct and at times incorrect but all lead me to the right ending. The journey I lead presented me with different paths, but all lead to various experiences that stretched me and created me into a woman of strength, character, and and love. Someday I will know that I found my Gilbert Blythe who is a man that was sculpted into a character of noble kindness. Who lives for me and I live for him.

Someday, Sometime this will be my ending.
"Its not what the world holds for you- it's what you bring to it." - Anne

Life, please be kind and direct me down the path that will lead me to this happily ever after.

The right Kind of person

Dear Boys of BYU,
I have heard from several of you that you are confused on who you should date. I have an answer:
"Now brethren, do not expect perfection in your choice of mate. Do not be so particular that you over look her most important qualities of having a strong testimony, living the principles of the gospel, loving home, wanting to be a mother in zion, and supporting in your priesthood responsibilities. Of couse, she should be attractive to you but do not just date one girl after another for the sole pleasure of dating without seeking the Lord's confirmation in your choice of your eternal companions. And one good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts; do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?" - elder benson

This, gentlemen of BYU is what you should be focusing on. Not non committal make outs, or who is dating the 'hottest' girl.

Great and fun french song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5i1ZRd2n30

Nothing really

It's been a whole week. Sorry. How are you? I have been thinking about my readers and had an overwhelming wish that you are all safe, sound and happy. January can be a bit of a dull month so I hope you can find something good in your life that inspires you to be better and to make someone else's day great. This week nothing unusual happened-- I do have a considerable amount of small things that made me have moments of extraordinary joy during my unusual week however. I enjoyed a glass of chocolate soy milk, Community thursday night, nice chats with good friends, day dreaming time, new songs found on itunes, and other such nonsense. It is the simple things that make my day extraordinary I tell you. I will Be back soon when I've got something really great to share this week.

XOXO

Take a Chance

Quick Update:
I told you one of my goals was to take chances and by george I have!! If you really know me and know what I did on Sunday AND Tuesday your jaw would drop to the floor. (especially the sunday one. Call me for details.) Yes ladies and gentleman the New and Improved Cailey is growing in front of your very eyes. " Caye you are growing Leaps and Bounds" as my good friend Matt often tells me.
And because my theme is to take chances I found a song that gets me going each day. I love it: "Take a chance" - Magic Numbers. Such a good song.. listen to it and I challenge you to go and take a chance of your own. (and when I say this I mean you should take a chance that will benefit your life for the better!)

My oh My oh My.
Is it really a new year already? Sometimes it seems like the 2009 just continued on. My classes this semester are going to be Lots of work, but ones that I am super interested in so that makes up for it. Even though my break was so great, being back here and jumping right back into school has made it feel like fall semester never ended-- and it will last on and on till spring semester is over. ug. Nevertheless, tis 2010 and I am determined to kick myself back into shape so I wanted to post my goals on here. I heard once that making goals public make one feel more obligated to finish them. This is exactly what I intend to do.
Ready?
Read Book of Mormon again this semester
Say my prayers daily (and little thank-you one's throughout the day)
Eat healthy aka NO SUGAR
Stay on top of my homework-- write papers in advanced
Speak softer, kinder words
Take chances
Attend temple regularly
Keep room clean
RUN HALF MARATHON (may 1st 2010) Commitment and Strength.

Now as you all know I love to run. I thought to myself, why not run a half marathon this year. And so, I am starting my 13 week training. I will continue to update on my progress just so that I can keep track and see improvements. I am so excited!! I have wanted to do this for a very long time.

Happy New Year 2010!!!

Happy Christmas Dear Bloggers

What makes Christmas so sensational? Besides the normal hustle and bustle of the daily Christmas rituals and traditions there is really something magical that I am sure you each would agree, resides in your own home each year. I know the gourmet food, Christmas caroling, family discussions, games, relaxing, and reconnecting with loved ones all play a part, but I am convinced that Christmas is attributed from my crazy, chaotic, loveable, sporadic, partiers, humorous, caring, eccentric, sexy (I tribute that adjective to my brother in law) Unique family. We are the essence of a beautiful chaos
I could not ask for better parents, siblings, and friends to surround me during this holiday season. I am so grateful for family who protects, guides and takes my shortcomings with love and patience. My life is abundant in blessings galore and I wonder if I really deserve such a family as mine. May your Holidays be bright and merry! Eat up and revel in the fantastically s’wonderful Christmas break! Love to all!!

Ida Pearle

You have to check out this art work. Her art is very creative, fun, and unique. I am pretty much obsessed with it.

check it out: www.idapearle.com